Grate shaker



Jan. 12 ,1926. 1,569,195

N. M. LOWER ETAL n Y.

GRATE 'sHAKE Filed Jan. 22, .1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 12 1926. v 1,559,195

N. M. LOWER .Er A,

GHATE SHAKER Filed Jan. 22, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 All f2@ M972 was? N. M. LowER ET AL GRATE SHAKER Filed Jan. 22 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5' Jan. 12 ,1926.

f N. M. LOWER ET A1 GRATE SHAKER Q Filed Jan. 22, 1925 4 sheets-sheet 14 M? f Mm Patented Jan. 12,v 1926.

IMTENI OFFICE.

NATHANM. LOWER, ALBERT n. CHALKER, AND LONNIEEDWARD osisoRNE, OE PIT'rs-- nunon, PENNSYLVANIA, AssiGNORs 'ro LocoivrorivE s'roxER COMPANY, A oon..-

POBATION OIE PENNSYLVANIA.

GRATE SHAKER.

Application led January 22, 1925. Serial No'. 3,914.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known. that we, NATHAN M. LOWER, ALBERT R. CHALKER, and .LONNIE EDWARD 'OsoRNin citizens of the United States, and residents of Pittsburgh, county ofv Allegheny, and. State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Grate Shakers,iof which the following is a specification, and which is`illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates to grate shaking devices or mechanism for shaking the grates of locomotives and the like.

` One of the objects of the invention is the provision'of new and improved power and manually operated mechanism for operating or shaking the grates of a fuel burning furnace or firebox.

Another object of the invention is the provision of new' and improved means for operating a selected section or portion of the grates either manuall at the will ofthe operator. f U

A still further object of the invention is the 'provision of new and improved means for operating a grate shaking mechanism from the Stoker motor.

Other objects of the invention are the provision of a grate shaking mechanism that is simple in construction, efticient'in operation, cheap to manufacture, easily assembled and that ,consists of few moving parts.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention ,will appear from the f ollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a portionof a locomotive with parts in section, and with parts of the stoker omitted for the sake of Fig'. 2 is a vertical Sectionthereof on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal Section of a portion of the ireboxl substantially on lline 3-3 of p Fig. 1, showing the grate operating mechay or by powermeans i Figs-6 and 7 are perspective views of details of the operating mechanism.

On the drawings the reference character 1 .designates the frebox of a power plant, as

a railway locomotive` having the rear wall 2 in which is the fire door opening 3. The locomotive is provided with stoker mechanism common in the art., The conveyor and elevating mechanism are adapted to be op` erated by a reciprocating motor 7. As is usual in this type of Stoker, the conveyor operating shaft 8 is provided with a pinion 9 which is adapted to be oscillated by the rack 10 on the rackbar 11. The bar 11 is 4 reciprocated'by the piston of the motor 7, to which it is connected. The elevators of which there are usually two are operated by the rack 13 on the rack bar 11 in the usual manner: Since the vdetails of the stoker mechanism constitute no part of the present invention, it is not thought necessaryl to illustiate or furtherjdescribe the same.

The grate is divided into sections, and suitable means are rovided for indcpendently operating eac section. The gratos are divided longitudinally along the median 4line of kthe ii'ebox vand are also divided transverselytheieof to form the forward left and right sections 14 andll, and the rear left and right sections .16 and 17, respectively. The left'and right dump sections 18 and 19 constitute the rear portion Of the grate.

The left and right dump grate members 18 and 19 pivoted as at 21 constitute the extreme rear portions of the grate area of the fii'ebo. The grate members 1,8 and 19 are operatedA independently by the levers 22 and 23, respectively. pivoted intermediate their ends to suitable brackets 24 and 25 ecu'red to the rear side of the rear wall ofthe fire box. Links 26 yand 27 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the levers 22 and 23, respectively,

`whereby the dump grate members may beoperated hy said levers. The levers may be secured in loperative position by any suitable means, such as the bolts 28 and 29slidably "lhe levers 22 and 23 are I an i or links 33 and 34 whichv are pivotally con- .neously or nected at their forward ends to the connector 'bars 32 as Aat 35 'and 36, respectively, see Fig. 3. The 'forward sections 14 and l5 of the grate are operated by the shaker rods or links 37 and 38 which are pivotally con? nected to the connector bars 32 as at 39 and 4l, respectively. y Y The grate bar sections are so arranged.

that vthey may be operated either simultaindependently. Furthermore, the construction is such that the grates may be shaken either by hand or by power operated mechanism at the will of the operator; 'Anysuitable means may be employed `for'this purpose. in the form of the. de-

*vice selected to illustrate one embodiment `of the.` invention, thegrate sections may be operated .from the Stoker motor in a man ner that will now be described.

The; inner end of the conveyor operating shaft -`8 is providedjwith a worm 40 which engages a gear quadrant 42V on a' countershaft 43 vforA oscillating theI same. 4The worm is of such a pitchthat it may be oscilllated by oscillating the gear.'

The-.shaft 43 is provided lwith .a plurality y of arms :44 which are connected together by ,the actuating rod 45 forming an oscillating member.

,either elevated or lowered position.

Suitable means are provided torselectively connecting the links 33 34, 37 and..

38 to this actuating rod or oscillating ineinber wherebyv as the rod isoscillatedthe grates connected tothe sameiwill be agitated or shaken. `The rear portions'of the shaker j rods `or .links 33, 34, 37 and 38are alike and veach is provided with a notch 4'6, see Fig. 4', A*for engaging the, oscillating member or actuating'rod 45., Their rear end'sare sup` ported by the laterally bent lower endsA 50 .of the corresponding pull rods`47, 48, 49 and- 51..,respectively. The: pull rods 'are 'pro-A vided. with. means forv holding the same ,in s shown' each pull rod is provid'edwith a. lug

'52, see' Fig. 4, which is adapted to vengage either the hook 53 or the hook 5 4 forhol'ding the rod and its actuatingbar in elevated or lowered position.

Suitable clutching means are provided 'connecting or disconnecting the worm 40' withgthe shaft 8. -r'l-he worinA 40 is'loose-"ori the power shaft 8 and its rear end is pro- 4 vided with a clutch tooth 55 which is adapted to engage a corresponding recess 56 in the clutch member 57 splined upon -theshaft 8 as is usual in such constructions. 'The clutch member 57 is operated by the ship-4 per lever 58 pivoted as at l59. The up er end ot' thc'leverl is 'adapted to be held with the clutch disengaged by any suitable means such as the pin 61, see Fig. l. i

lt is necessary that the actuating. rod 45 be held in its uppermost position when at rest in ,order that the saine may be engaged bythe links33, 34, 37 and 38 when they are v'lowered preparatory to vshaking the grates.

A lever mechanism is employed for this -purpose. As shown,J a lever 62 pivoted as at 63, see Figs. 4 and 5, is provided with a slotted extension 64 to which is. pivoted the rear end of the retaining lever 65. rlhe lever 65 is pivoted intermediate" its ends as at 66 and its front curved'en'd 67 is provided with i a notch .68 which is adapted'to engage the;

-aCtuating'rod 45 only when the latter isin its upright position. l 1

The clutch lever .58 is operated yfrom the hand lever'62. Aspring 77 see F ig. 5, connects the levers 62 and 58 whereby when the leyer 62 is -moved rearwardly the lever 58 is also moved rearwardly, and at the same time thereby engaging the clutch. The lever 6:2 may'be held in-rearward position by pin; 7 8 in the bracket 7), see Figs. land 4. lBy providingthe spring 77 between the levers v58 and 62 the lever 6 2 may be. moved rearwardlyandscured in adjusted position v l,at anytime in the" operation of the device.

. rlhe springwill'cause the tooth 55 to engage l the recess 56 only When'the latter hasbeen rotated toa position opposite that of 'the tooth.' The angle vof the cooperating sides` l of the tooth and recess is such that the spring will permit the clutch vtooth to ride up out ofthe recess shouldjthe .normal movementof the grates become vobstructed .or locked. for

'during the normalxoperation. ofthe-device at any time except-.when the grates are inhor- .zontal position. Any suitable means'may be employed vfor this purpose. In the form shown, the end 67 ot the lever is so curved that when the clutch is engaged the actuating rod 45'will oscillate in such close proxiinity .to xthe outerv circumference of the iso los

1'10 any reason during .their operation, therebyA preventing injury to the mechanism.

Itis desirable.' that means be provided for4 .preventing the disengagement of the clutch curved end .G7-that the lever 62 which operi ates the curved end 67 cannot bel moved fory wardly to,disengage theclutch except when therod 45 comesopposite the notch68.

, Each of the grate operating links is'provided with'suitable means, as the notch 69n which the stop 7l is adapted to engage, '-for `prevent1ng longitudinal movement of:

lating. As shown, a bell crank 72, see Fi 4, operated by a link 7 3 from the lever 62 1s provided with an arm 74 which is adapted to engage in either thenotch'7 5 or the notch that isconnected to said bar. tions are connected to the bar 45 by lowering the same wi l (lil 76 for holding each lpull rod in either elevated or lowered position. In otherI Words, the pull rods will be locked in their adjusted position when the lever 62 is moved rearwardly.

Suitable means are also provided whereby the grate sections may be operated manually. As shown, the shaft 43 (see` Fi is provided with an arm 81 to whic end of the lever 82 pivoted'to the plate 24 is adapted to be connected as by means of the link 83forl oscillating said shaft. The 0scillation of the shaft will oscillate the bar 45 and thereby shake any section of. the grate The grate sec.-

the corresponding levers 47, 48, 49 and' 51. In the manual operation of the gratos, the pull rod or. rods corresponding to the grate section or sections to beoperated are lowered, the-lever 62 moved rearwardly andsecured to the bracket 79 to disengage the curved retaining member 67 from the actuating bar 45, after which said bar is oscillated by the hand lever 82. In operating the grates by the hand lever 82 the shipper lever 5 8 is held in inoperative position by the pin 61.

When the grates arev to be operated by power, the pull rod or rods corresponding to the sections desired to be operated, are lowered, the clutch lever released from the pin 61, and the lever 62 moved rearwardl which, through the action of the spring 7 will cause the engagement of the clutch. This rearward movement of the lever 62 will also disengage the notch 46 from the bar 45 and will lock the pull rods'in adjusted position by the arm 74 of the bell crank 72 engaging in one or the other of the notches 75 or 76 1n said pull rods.

The angle of the clutch tooth and recess is such that when the tension of the s ring 77 is released b moving the lever 62 ib'rward, force the clutch member rearwardly to thereby disengage the clutch.

4It will be evident that the forms and pro'- portions of the parts and means of connection may be varied without departing from the main features of our invention.

`Without limiting ourselves to the construction and arrangement shown, We claim-- 1. In combination, a lirebox, a grate comprising independently movable sections, a grate moving member, means for selectively detachably connecting said sections to said t e lower said mechanlsm.

- disconnecting member whereby said sections may be -operated either independently or simultaneously, end means for operating said member. p n f 2. In combination, a lirebox, a sectional "grate therefor, stoker operating mechanism,

a member reciprocated by said mechanism, and means for selectively detachably connecting said grate sections tosaid member for operating said sections.

3. In combination, a lirebox, a sectional grate therefor, Stoker operating mechanism.l a member rcciprocated 'by said mechanism, means for selectively detachably connecting said grate sections to -sad member for operating said sections, and clutch means for detachably connecting said member to 4. In combination, a lirebox, a sectional grate for said lirebox, -stoker mechanism including' a power shaft for supplying fue?. to said ireboX, a. bail member, means for oscillating said member from said .power shaft, linksconnected to said grate sections and means for independently or simultaneously detachably connecting said links to said member for oscillating any or all of said grates. v

5. In combination, a lirebox, a plurality of grate lsections within said irebox, Stoker mechanism including a motor for supplying fuel to said iirebox, and mechanism including a movable member for operating said sections from said motor, and means independentof said mechanism for selectively said sections from said movable member.

6. In combination, a lireboX provided lwith grate sections, stoker mechanism including a motor for supplying fuel to said irebox, and means for operating said sec-- tions from said motor, said means comprising an oscillating bail, links connected Ito said sections and means for/ detachably connecting said links to said bail for op erating said sections. f

7. In combination, a yfirebox, a plurality of grate sections within said firebox, stoker mechanism including a motor for supplying fuel to said frebox, means including an oscillating member for operating said sectionsl from said motor, means for disconnecting said motor, means for manually operating said oscillating member, and means for selectively connecting said sec- -tions to said member.

8. In combination, a firebox, a plurality1 of grate sections within said lireboX, and means for agitating said grate sections either manually or by power, at the will of the operator, said means comprising a movable bail member and means for detachably connecting said grate sections tosaid bail member.

9. In combination, a irebom a sectional grate `for said irebox, povver shaft-,Za bail.

lll

.means for .oscillating said bail fromffsaid 'power shaft, va clutchfo'r controlling'theoperation .of saidvv bail, means for engaging- `saidbal foifselectively operating the* se'c' ltions-ot said grateya lever,4 a bailen'gaging member' operated by. saicl'leyer7 a clutch op` erating member and resilient meansbetween saicllever and saidv last 'named mmberfor operating said-clutch on the movement of said lever in one direction. l0. In eombinatioIn-a plurality of n'iovable grate members', a.

power s hai't means for operating saidA sec- I tionli'rom saidshaft, and means for prevent- .r f ing the disengagement of sald firstm'amed means exceptjwhen. said grate members are I in'h'orizontal position. j

11; ln combination, ajirebox,f,a grate sec` tion therefor, said-section comprising a plurality of movable xgrate members, a power",

shafafmeans for operatively connecting said section'to shaft, ifneansv forpreventing g I y r -iirebox, 'a grate sectiontherei-or, said section comprlsmg a4 'Mein-inoperative position. I i. 12.- In combination, a firebox, aplurality of grate sections therefor, a movable member, ipower,means for operating said-' member, links' securedto said' sections for I operating thesamerl a` control ,member for. ,each'gijate section for selectively. 'detachably connectingsaid 'links'to saidI member, and a single lever fon man'allyf operating rality of' grate -'sections therein arranged laterally. of each other, an oscillatin member, power means for operating sai NATHAN, M. LOWER. f ALBERT R. oHAL-KER. I L. EDWARD osBoRNni 13,Injcombination,"a-` fire-box," a' plu. i

mem ber. means-for detaehably connecting said y sections to said member, and means. for

manually operatmgsaidmember. 

